Tactile responsive surface for virtual reality training device

Abstract

An input device for providing user input to a computing device includes a seat portion allowing a user to sit on the device. The input device further includes several human interface devices having positional sensors that detect changes in rotation or translation of a movable tactile surface with respect to a fixed tactile surface and provide a signal indicative thereof. These signals are used are used by a computer to change an image of virtual fixed and movable surfaces within a head mounted display.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An input device for a seated VR user, the input device comprising:
 a floor engaging member having a floor engaging surface and a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the floor engaging surface; 
 a seat support surface generally parallel to the floor engaging surface; 
 a seat sensor is configured to detect the linear movement of the seat support surface with respect to the floor engaging member; 
 a bearing disposed between the seat support structure configured to allow relative rotation of the seat support structure perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with respect to the floor; 
 a fixed tactile surface positioned within arm's reach of the seated VR user; 
 a movable tactile surface positioned within arm's reach of the seated VR user; 
 a first plurality of sensors configured to detect the movement of the movable tactile surface with respect to the fixed tactile surface and provide a first signal thereof; 
 a motion tracking head mounted display configured to receive a video signal input and having a second plurality of sensors configured to detect the movement of the head mounted display with respect the ground, said second plurality of sensors configured to provide a second signal indicative of the movement of the head mounted display with respect the ground; and 
 a computer configured to receive the first and second signals and selectively convert user motion into control signals for motion and functional control of software incorporated in the computer; and 
 wherein said computer is configured to provide video signals to the motion tracking head mounted display in response to the first signals. 
 
     
     
       2. The input device according to  claim 1 , wherein said computer being configured to provide signals to the motion tracking head mounted display in response to the second signals. 
     
     
       3. The input device according to  claim 2 , comprising a plurality of sensors configured to detect the movement of a first and a second movable tactile surface. 
     
     
       4. The input device according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second movable tactile surfaces are disposed at first and second distances on an axis associated with the first and second moveable tactile surfaces, the second distance being less than the first distance. 
     
     
       5. The input device according to  claim 4 , wherein the motion tracking head mounted display is configured to create an image at the location of the fixed tactile surface. 
     
     
       6. The input device according to  claim 4 , wherein the motion tracking head mounted display is configured to create a second image component at the location of the movable tactile surface. 
     
     
       7. The input device according to  claim 3 , wherein the fixed and movable tactile surfaces have corresponding fixed and movable virtual tactile surfaces. 
     
     
       8. The input device according to  claim 2  wherein the input device comprises at least one binary on/off switch which provides a digital output signal. 
     
     
       9. The input device according to  claim 2  wherein the input device comprises at least one analog sensor which provides an analog output signal. 
     
     
       10. The input device according to  claim 8  wherein the analog sensor detects one of the change in resistance and a change in capacitance. 
     
     
       11. A virtual reality system for a seated VR user, the virtual reality system comprising:
 a floor engaging member having a floor engaging surface and a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the floor engaging surface; 
 a seat support coupled to and selectively movably with respect to the floor engaging surface; 
 a seat sensor configured to detect the linear movement of the seat support with respect to the floor engaging member; 
 a fixed tactile surface positioned within arm's reach of the seated VR user; 
 a pair of movable tactile surfaces positioned within arm's reach of the seated VR user; 
 a first plurality of sensors configured to detect the movement of the movable tactile surface with respect to the fixed tactile surface and provide a first signal thereof; 
 a motion tracking head mounted display configured to receive a video signal input and having a second plurality of sensors configured to detect the movement of the head mounted display with respect the ground, said second plurality of sensors configured to provide a second signal indicative of the movement of the head mounted display with respect the ground; and 
 a computer configured to receive the first and second signals and selectively convert user motion into control signals for motion and functional control of software incorporated in the computer, said computer configured to provide signals to the motion tracking head mounted display in response to the first and second signals. 
 
     
     
       12. The input device according to  claim 11 , wherein the motion tracking head mounted display is configured to create an image at the location of the fixed tactile surface. 
     
     
       13. The input device according to  claim 11 , wherein the motion tracking head mounted display is configured to create a second image component at the location of the movable tactile surface. 
     
     
       14. The virtual reality system according to  claim 11 , wherein the pair of moveable tactile surfaces are disposed at a second distance from the longitudinal axis, the second distance being less than the first distance. 
     
     
       15. The virtual reality system according to  claim 14 , wherein the head mounted display is configured to produce a series of pictures in response to changes in signals from said second plurality of sensors. 
     
     
       16. The virtual reality system according to  claim 11  wherein the seated VR user can be restricted to only portions of the control panel related to ground transportation of the aircraft. 
     
     
       17. The virtual reality system according to  claim 11  further comprising an alarm will be sounded if a user attempts to engage with portions of the control panel not associated ground transportation of an aircraft. 
     
     
       18. An input device for a seated VR user, the input device comprising:
 a fixed tactile surface positioned on a floor within arm's reach of the seated VR user; 
 a movable tactile surface positioned within arm's reach of the seated VR user; 
 a first plurality of sensors configured to detect the movement of the movable tactile surface with respect to the fixed tactile surface and provide a first signal thereof; 
 a seat sensor configured to detect the linear movement of the seated VR user with respect to the floor; 
 a motion tracking head mounted display configured to receive a video signal input and having a second plurality of sensors configured to detect the movement of the head mounted display with respect the ground, said second plurality of sensors configured to provide a second signal indicative of the movement of the head mounted display with respect the ground; and 
 a computer configured to receive the first and second signals and selectively convert user motion into control signals for motion and functional control of software incorporated in the computer. 
 
     
     
       19. The input device for a seated VR user according to  claim 18  wherein a first portion of the control panel related to ground transportation is visually highlighted, and wherein an alarm is provided should the user attempt to engage a second portion of the control panel.